Enriching Your Loved One’s Life at a Nursing Home

When your loved one moves into a nursing home or assisted living facility, you may be concerned with their quality of life. For the elderly, transitioning from living at home to living in a care facility can be stressful; their living space is now limited, they’re losing some of their independence, and they’re leaving their home for a much different environment. It can be hard for family members to see their loved ones in this new stage of life, but there are a few things you can do to make their transition easier and improve their overall quality of life.

Safe Environment

One reason that a person is moved into a nursing home or assisted living facility is because their mobility is starting to worsen and they need more frequent monitoring. You can’t always be with your loved one in their new home, but you can ensure their living space is safe and clutter-free. Reducing clutter will make their space easier to move in and, if it remains uncluttered, their minds may stay sharper for longer. You can also make sure there is adequate lighting in all the rooms, handrails where necessary, and grab bars in the bathroom.

Short Outings

Once your loved one has settled into their space, try taking them out of the facility on short outings (if they are able). Take them to see a movie or the latest theatrical production in your area. Or try a baseball game! If the major league stadium near you doesn’t have handicap accessibility, the minor league just might.

If your loved one wants to do something more peaceful, bird watching is a popular activity that gets you out in nature and promotes exercise. You can also set goals such as finding your state bird or birds you’ll only see during migration.

Eat Together

Most care facilities allow visitors to come to meals with their loved ones, so schedule a meal you and your family member can enjoy together. There are many early bird specials offered both in care facilities and at restaurants outside of the care home. Schedule to go to one a week to try all of the ones in your area, then pick which ones were your favorite and your family member’s favorite! This could be a new tradition for the both of you to look forward to!

Small Gifts

Gifts can make a new living environment more homey. However, you should avoid things that will make it harder to maneuver or more dangerous to maneuver (like throw rugs or bulky decorations). A wheelchair-friendly blanket can make any place more cozy, especially during winter time. A digital photo frame will help in a few ways because they keep clutter low by eliminating the need for multiple frames and they can potentially show more pictures than individual frames could fit onto a whole wall!

Community-Based Senior Programs

Many nursing homes have senior programs that help residents remain active and social. By encouraging your loved one to go to them, you can get them more involved without always having to be with them. Some senior programs include day trips, low-impact fitness programs, early-bird specials, and senior discounts. These programs are designed to help maintain a happier and healthier lifestyle, so if you can encourage your loved one to attend, they will more likely be living a fulfilling lifestyle.

Crafts

Crafting can be a good way to keep anyone busy. Take some ceramics classes together or design a planter box for gardening (to avoid needing to sit on the ground). You can even modify hobbies to make them easier for arthritis sufferers.

It is perfectly normal to be concerned about your family members when they move into a nursing home or assisted living facility. The transition can be stressful for everyone involved, but if you take the time to make their new space more like home, it will enrich your loved one’s life and give you some peace of mind.